Local officials ask the question: Could a Newtown-type shooting happen here?

By Jason MortonStaff Writer

Saturday

Dec 15, 2012 at 12:01 AM

TUSCALOOSA | Could it happen here? That was a lingering question for many parents and relatives of school-aged children across Tuscaloosa County as news of the school shooting massacre in Newtown, Conn., spread across the nation on Friday.

TUSCALOOSA | Could it happen here?That was a lingering question for many parents and relatives of school-aged children across Tuscaloosa County as news of the school shooting massacre in Newtown, Conn., spread across the nation on Friday.It also was a question that hit the minds of local law enforcement and elected officials, many of whom reacted not only as representatives and protectors, but as parents and relatives themselves.“As a parent and a mayor, it absolutely sparks a conversation,” said Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, himself the father of an elementary school-aged child. “I think we need to see exactly what happened in Newtown and draw from those experiences to make our area safer.“There may be nothing you can do to 100 percent prevent a tragedy like this, but that doesn’t mean you don’t look at the situation to see what — if anything — could be done.”Conversations like this are expected in the city and county school systems, where numerous safeguards and security measures already are in place for all elementary, middle and high schools.But security is tighter among the higher grades, where crimes and violence are more common and schools in both systems have resource officers in some capacity.Elementary schools don’t have the same kind of law enforcement presence as middle and high schools do, however. That’s because, traditionally, they are safer places.Should this policy change in the aftermath of the Connecticut tragedy?All involved said it’s truly too early to tell.“The Sheriff’s Office — along with the Tuscaloosa County school system — has a detailed security plan,” said Sheriff Ted Sexton. “And when we receive assessments on school violence issues, we review that and determine if there are changes we need to make with our plan.“This is an issue that’s addressed at the national level, the state level and the local level ... and it is one of our highest priorities to protect students, faculty and staff.”Sexton’s counterpart in the city of Tuscaloosa agreed: When more details regarding the shooting become available, then it will be time to assess the current policies to determine what, if anything, should be altered.But law enforcement officials have long known that stopping someone who is determined to cause harm is, at times, impossible.“Unless you know of something beforehand ... that you can use to prevent a situation, you just don’t know when someone’s going to take a gun and walk into a school or a mall and open fire on people,” said Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson. “We shouldn’t fool ourselves. Parents really ought to have a talk with school officials ... (and) their children about this situation in Connecticut and what they should do in finding a safe place to hide and protect themselves.”Paul McKendrick, superintendent of Tuscaloosa city schools, has seen a range of security measures throughout his career. He said that protecting children is always the highest priority, and having the kind of relationship with law enforcement as the city schools have with the Tuscaloosa Police Department helps make that happen. But it’s a reality that even the best of plans aren’t foolproof.“That’s the scary part,” Mc­Kendrick said. “You put all these procedures in place and something can still happen.“But if there is something we consider a breach in security at one of our buildings or if someone gets access to a child who’s not supposed to have it, we always reassess (our security plan).”McKendrick said he’s open to discussing potential upgrades with the city police. So, too, does Gary Bonner, chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education.A former teacher and principal with a grandchild in elementary school, Bonner said the news of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was alarming, emotional and infuriating.Bonner understands that the six Tuscaloosa County deputies who serve as resource officers for the entire school system have sufficed until now, but he is open to considering additional possibilities and measures to better protect children in all grades.“But does the sheriff’s department have the manpower to do it and do we have the finances to help do it?” Bonner said. “It’s certainly something we should look at. “We want to do everything we can to make our school system as safe as possible. Now, I feel we have done all we can, but do we need to do more?“I don’t know how you handle every situation.” The sheriff said one way to help eliminate violence in schools is for the community to be alert.Deputies, police officers and school officials are paid to do this job, but there are only so many of them.The more people who are paying attention, the safer our schools can be, Sexton said.“If something looks out of the ordinary, report it, or if you get information (about a potential crime), report it,” Sexton said. “Every person in this community is responsible for school security.”